What is "cold" for a chicken and prepping the coop

[Ccort]

Many people put plastic partway up on the sides of a covered run, turning it into an extension of the coop.

My dog would 100% rip that off within an hour.

 

[3KillerBs]

My dog would 100% rip that off within an hour.

You could use those clear roof panels.

Or just strategically placed stacks of straw bales, upright pallets, etc.

 

[Ccort]

You could use those clear roof panels.

Or just strategically placed stacks of straw bales, upright pallets, etc.

Ha! Thanks.

My girls are not enjoying this weather. They've essentially barricaded themselves in the coop and spending the day there.

 

[Ponypoor]

It will get down to 32 degrees here tonight and a few degrees cooler tomorrow night. I have my girls inside the coop right now with zero adjustments for the cold temps. Is this ok? Can temps around 30 harm them?

I'm reading so many varying things on keeping them safe and comfortable this winter. Do we close up some of the makeshift Windows? (Mine are just holes covered in hardware cloth)

Will my girls get frostbite? Any tips are appreciated. We've already had a very hard year and hoping to get this right.

Well it gets to -30C here regularly and can remain that way for weeks in bad winters. Last winter was my first winter with chickens, I have horses so I know what they don’t like and when to bring them in or to put blankets on them.

I saw so many conflicting advice that I just went with my observations. Now I have a large barn that the chickens have free range in during the day, it will be warmer than outside by about 10degrees unless it very windy - then it can get very chilly in here. But -30c outside Ian’s it’s around -20c inside. The horses warm it up a bit at night when they are inside.

I have a small 4x10’ Hen House that is located inside the barn that is used for roosting at night and laying eggs - as I said they have the barn all day. The Hen House is fully insulated and has two windows i cover in plastic to keep out drafts, and at night the hen house will be around +1C to -1C down to around -20c outside, lower than that and the hen house is around -5.

My findings:

1) anything to down to -10C and they were ‘ok’ they will run around dig in the stalls n the horse doodoo and do normal chicken things.

2) under -10c and they start to show signs of cold stress, they sit hunched and fluffed up and are not as active.

3) when the barn got to -20c they were definitely not happy, and would hang out in the nest boxes and huddled together. I ended up keeping my horses inside on those days when it was -30c to try to keep the barn warmer.

Chickens are theoretically tropical birds, can they survive the cold? Sure. Will they be happy? Mine sure weren’t! My two silkies decided to be broody in February and for 6 weeks they stayed in the nestbox huddled together with the cozy coop heater - they weren’t stupid! Twice a day I hauled their fluffy butt’s out to eat drink and poop - after which they would run back to their warm nest box

Soooo, as long as there are no drafts, no damp, and a warm up place, they will do fine. I cannot stress enough the no drafts and no dampness for any livestock!

 

[Ccort]

Well it gets to -30C here regularly and can remain that way for weeks in bad winters. Last winter was my first winter with chickens, I have horses so I know what they don’t like and when to bring them in or to put blankets on them.

I saw so many conflicting advice that I just went with my observations. Now I have a large barn that the chickens have free range in during the day, it will be warmer than outside by about 10degrees unless it very windy - then it can get very chilly in here. But -30c outside Ian’s it’s around -20c inside. The horses warm it up a bit at night when they are inside.

I have a small 4x10’ Hen House that is located inside the barn that is used for roosting at night and laying eggs - as I said they have the barn all day. The Hen House is fully insulated and has two windows i cover in plastic to keep out drafts, and at night the hen house will be around +1C to -1C down to around -20c outside, lower than that and the hen house is around -5.

My findings:

1) anything to down to -10C and they were ‘ok’ they will run around dig in the stalls n the horse doodoo and do normal chicken things.

2) under -10c and they start to show signs of cold stress, they sit hunched and fluffed up and are not as active.

3) when the barn got to -20c they were definitely not happy, and would hang out in the nest boxes and huddled together. I ended up keeping my horses inside on those days when it was -30c to try to keep the barn warmer.

Chickens are theoretically tropical birds, can they survive the cold? Sure. Will they be happy? Mine sure weren’t! My two silkies decided to be broody in February and for 6 weeks they stayed in the nestbox huddled together with the cozy coop heater - they weren’t stupid! Twice a day I hauled their fluffy butt’s out to eat drink and poop - after which they would run back to their warm nest box

Soooo, as long as there are no drafts, no damp, and a warm up place, they will do fine. I cannot stress enough the no drafts and no dampness for any livestock!

I have no barn though! What was your coop heater?

The idea of a heat lamp terrifies me so I don't want to go that route.

I'm curious...anyone used these? (See pic) It claims to be "safer than a brooder heater?"

I'm trying to prepare for those coldest of days as I know they're coming quickly. We're hitting the teens this week already.

 

[Ccort]

Thoughts on this?

Plywood piece is meant to block winds/snow from entering. May put a furnace filter there though instead of in conjunction.

I have the same plywood setup on the side with the tarp. The tarp is meant to be a windbreak. It's loose around it, letting air out. Good idea? Bad idea?

Closes the back window with plywood but it's not secured at the bottom so a little airflow there.

In front...the real windows are closed because they would blow on in their rear ends and bodies. But added the holes up top.

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

I have no barn though! What was your coop heater?

The idea of a heat lamp terrifies me so I don't want to go that route.

I'm curious...anyone used these? (See pic) It claims to be "safer than a brooder heater?"

I'm trying to prepare for those coldest of days as I know they're coming quickly. We're hitting the teens this week already.

You’ll be ok. There is a big difference between climate in KY and Ontario. Even in the mountainous regions in KY your breeds will do just fine without heat even if/when temps remain in the singles and teens 24/7. Keep them protected from drafts and keep them dry.
My run is covered with plastic on the N and East sides, otherwise is open and gets plenty of southern sun exposure which warms the area a bit. The birds can always go into the attached coop at will.
I have 6 inches snow, teens- 20s now and my birds were digging in the snow. I do look them over once on the roost and when needed I use a small towel to blot the largests combs and the brahmas feathered feet. prob not needed but it takes seconds for my flock of 10. no issues, no frostbite, no stress on birds, still laying eggs daily x the EE, no artificial light.

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

Thoughts on this?

Plywood piece is meant to block winds/snow from entering. May put a furnace filter there though instead of in conjunction.

I have the same plywood setup on the side with the tarp. The tarp is meant to be a windbreak. It's loose around it, letting air out. Good idea? Bad idea?

Closes the back window with plywood but it's not secured at the bottom so a little airflow there.

In front...the real windows are closed because they would blow on in their rear ends and bodies. But added the holes up top.

that looks good.

 

[3KillerBs]

I have no barn though! What was your coop heater?

You're in Kentucky -- Zone 6 or Zone 7 depending on where in the state.

That's a LOT different than being up in Zone 4 or lower.

 

[Ccort]

Thanks all. Ok, one more thing. Hopefully.

I am reading that they must have wide perches in the coop in winter to prevent frostbite on feet and legs. Mine are probably 2.5 inches wide. Do I need to swap these out?